The lighting of Shabbat candles is a halacha that was established by our Rabbis very early in Jewish history. They instituted that candles be lit as a way of both honoring and enjoying Shabbat. In understanding how this mitzvah works, one has to remember that for most of history there were no electric lights, only candle light. There were times when Jews were very poor and could hardly afford to feed their families, let alone burn a candle after dark. The day would last as long as there was daylight because once the sun set and the light was gone, what could one do but go to bed? 
    This is why lighting candles for Shabbat is considered honoring Shabbat. As Rashi puts it, no matter how delicious the meal, if it’s eaten in total darkness, it’s really not enjoyed.   A meal is not considered important unless it’s eaten in a room that is as light as day.  Our Rabbi’s also understood that light adds to the peace and enjoyment within the house. A person walking in the dark will trip over furniture and other obstacles. He will not be at peace with himself and will not view kindly other members of the household. In order to alleviate this problem it was decreed that candles should be lit in the living quarters of the house as well.
    Given the above, we see that that there are two separate aspects to the mitzvah of hadlakot neirot. The first aspect is the one that receives the bracha, namely, the Shabbat candles lit in the dining room. The second aspect which doesn’t get a bracha but which is equally important, involves leaving lights on in the hallways and other important areas of the house. Although most people wouldn’t think that something as mundane as leaving the light on in the bathroom would be much of a mitzvah, we see that because it fosters peace in the house,  it is indeed a very important one.
    The mitzvah of hadlakot neirot is incumbent upon both men and women. Although it is required of the entire household to make sure that the house is illuminated for Shabbat, special preference for this mitzvah was deferred to the woman of the house. Therefore, in a situation where the woman of the house is away or not able to light, the man of the house should perform this mitzvah.
    There is a very interesting difference in procedure between the way men and women light Shabbat candles. With the lighting of the candles, a woman is accepting upon herself Shabbat. Consequently, once the bracha is made, the candles may no longer be lit and the match may not be blown out. Therefore, the only option is to light the candles before the bracha. However, this too is problematic. A bracha is supposed to be recited before the mitzvah is done, not after. In order to circumvent this problem; the custom is for a woman light the candles, blow out the match and then cover her eyes while reciting the bracha. Although the candles were lit when the bracha was made, covering her eyes prevented her from having benefit from the candles until after the bracha. Men, on the other hand, accept Shabbat during their tefillah. Therefore, when a man lights he makes the bracha first and then lights. He may still do melacha until he has accepted Shabbat in his tefillah.
    In summary, because the mitzvah of hadlakot neirot brings great honor to the Shabbat and shalom to the house, its reward is also great. May this newfound understanding help bring us to more careful observance of this important mitzvah.

Rabbi Eliezer Kessler
Houston, Texas